ATPL Theory Exam: Complete Study Schedule for 2026
A Week-by-Week Plan for All 13 ATPL Subjects
Passing all 13 EASA ATPL theory exams within the 18-month sitting period is a monumental achievement. Without a structured plan, many candidates waste time on low-yield subjects, run out of time on hard ones, or burn out before they finish. This schedule gives you a clear roadmap from day one to exam completion.
Overview: The Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total subjects | 13 |
| Total study hours needed | 800-1,000 |
| Sitting period | 18 months from first exam attempt |
| Attempts allowed per subject | 4 |
| Pass mark per subject | 75% |
| Maximum exam sessions | 6 (typically scheduled every 2-3 months) |
The 40-Week Master Schedule
This plan is designed for full-time students studying 25-30 hours per week. If you are studying part-time (15 hours per week), double the duration but keep the same subject order.
Phase 1: Navigation Block (Weeks 1-10)
The hardest subjects first, when your motivation is highest and your sitting period is longest.
Weeks 1-5: General Navigation (061)
- Week 1: Earth, coordinates, great circles, rhumb lines
- Week 2: Maps and charts -- Lambert, Mercator, polar stereographic
- Week 3: Dead reckoning, wind triangle, 1-in-60 rule
- Week 4: Compass theory -- deviation, variation, dip, turning/acceleration errors
- Week 5: Practice questions and mock exams (target: 300+ questions completed)
Weeks 6-10: Radio Navigation (062)
- Week 6: Ground-based nav aids -- VOR, DME, NDB/ADF
- Week 7: ILS, MLS, radar systems
- Week 8: Inertial navigation systems (INS/IRS)
- Week 9: GNSS (GPS), RNAV, PBN, RNP
- Week 10: Practice questions and mock exams
Exam Session 1 (Week 11): General Navigation + Radio Navigation
Phase 2: Technical Block (Weeks 12-22)
Weeks 12-16: Principles of Flight (081)
- Week 12: Lift, drag, and the four forces
- Week 13: Stability and control -- longitudinal, lateral, directional
- Week 14: High-speed aerodynamics -- compressibility, Mach effects, swept wings
- Week 15: Stalling, spinning, and flight envelope limitations
- Week 16: Practice questions and mock exams
Weeks 17-20: Aircraft General Knowledge (021)
- Week 17: Airframe, hydraulics, and landing gear systems
- Week 18: Powerplant -- piston engines and turbine engines
- Week 19: Electrical, pressurization, and fuel systems
- Week 20: Practice questions and mock exams
Weeks 21-22: Instrumentation (022)
- Week 21: Pitot-static instruments, gyroscopic instruments, compasses
- Week 22: Electronic instruments, FMS, EFIS, warning systems + practice questions
Exam Session 2 (Week 23): POF + AGK + Instrumentation
Phase 3: Operations Block (Weeks 24-32)
Weeks 24-27: Meteorology (050)
- Week 24: Atmosphere, pressure, temperature, and density
- Week 25: Wind, clouds, precipitation, and visibility
- Week 26: Fronts, air masses, and weather systems
- Week 27: Aviation weather hazards, charts, and reports + practice questions
Weeks 28-30: Flight Planning (033)
- Week 28: Fuel planning -- trip fuel, contingency, alternate, final reserve, extra fuel
- Week 29: ICAO flight plan format and procedures
- Week 30: Navigation planning, ETOPS, and practice questions
Weeks 31-32: Operational Procedures (070)
- Week 31: ICAO procedures, fire/smoke, depressurization, contaminated runways
- Week 32: Practice questions and mock exams
Exam Session 3 (Week 33): Meteorology + Flight Planning + Ops Procedures
Phase 4: Light Block (Weeks 34-40)
Week 34: Mass and Balance (031)
- CG calculations, loading, and MAC calculations
- Practice questions (this subject rewards repetition)
Weeks 35-36: Performance (032)
- Week 35: Takeoff and landing performance, one-engine-inoperative procedures
- Week 36: Climb, cruise, and descent performance + practice questions
Weeks 37-38: Air Law (010)
- Week 37: ICAO annexes, Chicago Convention, pilot licensing
- Week 38: Rules of the air, airspace, ATC procedures + practice questions
Week 39: Human Performance (040)
- Physiology, psychology, decision making, CRM
- Practice questions
Week 40: Communications (091/092)
- VFR and IFR phraseology, procedures, emergency communications
- Practice questions
Exam Session 4 (Week 41): M&B + Performance + Air Law + HP + Communications
Phase 5: Buffer and Retakes (Weeks 42-52)
- Weeks 42-45: Focused study for any failed subjects
- Weeks 46-48: Retake exams as needed
- Weeks 49-52: Final buffer period
Daily Study Routine
A productive study day follows this pattern:
| Time Block | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | New material study (textbook/notes) | 2 hours |
| Mid-morning | Practice questions on today's topic | 1 hour |
| Lunch break | Rest (do not study) | 1 hour |
| Afternoon | Review yesterday's weak areas | 1 hour |
| Late afternoon | Mixed practice questions (all topics studied so far) | 1.5 hours |
| Evening | Light review of flashcards | 30 minutes |
Total: approximately 6 hours of focused study per day, 5 days per week.
Revision Strategy
The Spaced Repetition Method
Do not just study a subject and forget it until revision week. Use spaced repetition:
- After completing a subject, review it once per week for the next 4 weeks
- Then review once every 2 weeks until the exam
- In the final week before the exam, do a concentrated review of all subjects in that sitting
The 70-20-10 Rule
For each study session:
- 70% on new material -- Moving forward through the syllabus
- 20% on recent material -- Reviewing what you studied in the past 2 weeks
- 10% on old material -- Quick review of earlier subjects to prevent forgetting
Exam Day Logistics
EASA Exam Centers
- Exams are conducted at approved centers (typically at flight schools or national authority offices)
- Sessions are held approximately every 2 months depending on your national authority
- You must register well in advance -- popular sessions fill quickly
- Bring valid ID, exam booking confirmation, and any approved reference materials
Tips for Multi-Subject Exam Days
If sitting 2-3 exams in one session:
- Schedule the hardest exam first (when you are freshest)
- Bring snacks and water for breaks between exams
- Do not review material between exams -- it creates confusion
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before
Common Mistakes in ATPL Study
- Starting with easy subjects -- You waste your highest motivation on subjects you would pass anyway
- Not doing enough practice questions -- Aim for 500+ questions per hard subject, 200+ per easy subject
- Studying without a plan -- Random studying leads to gaps and wasted time
- Neglecting revision -- The forgetting curve is steep. Without revision, you lose 60% of material within a week.
- Burning out -- Take one full day off per week. Physical exercise and social activities are not optional.
The Bottom Line
The ATPL theory exams are a test of discipline as much as intelligence. Students who follow a structured plan, maintain consistent daily study habits, and use active learning techniques (practice questions, spaced repetition, teaching others) pass at significantly higher rates than those who study reactively.
*Start your ATPL preparation today with our [question bank](/) covering all 13 subjects with 1,300+ questions. Track your progress across subjects and identify weak areas with our [diagnostic quiz tool](/tools/quiz).*
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